I own two or more adjacent subdivided lots each covered by a separate assessment parcel number ("APN") and received two or more tax bills. How can I receive just one overall tax bill covering all of the lots?

If the City's or County's Building, Community Development or Planning Department confirms, in writing, that the lots cannot be developed, financed, leased or sold separately, then they may be combined into one tax bill.

The Assessor has the responsibility for annually discovering and assessing all property, and keeping track of all persons owning, claiming, possessing or controlling it, within the County as required by law. The Assessor must produce and deliver an assessment roll by July 1 of each year. The Assessment Roll becomes the base upon which local property taxes are levied, collected and distributed to the state (schools), cities, development agencies, special districts, and the County of Tulare.

If an overall area of land has been drawn and numbered as two or more separate assessor’s parcels on the assessor’s maps, does that fact alone mean that those separate assessor’s parcels can each be separately transferred, sold, leased, financed or developed ?

No. Depending on where the land is located, the city’s or county’s building, planning and/or community development department has primary authority to determine if any specific area of land can be separately transferred, sold, leased, financed or developed.

Unlike real property, business personal property is reappraised annually. The owners of all businesses must file a property statement each year detailing costs of all supplies, equipment, fixtures and real estate (if any) at each location.

I recently applied for a loan on a new subdivision lot that I purchased, but the lender tells me that I must supply them with the new Assessor's Parcel Number ("APN"), covering my specific lot before they can process my loan application. How do I get the new APN ?

Although it would certainly be convenient for your lender to have the new APN covering just your lot, it is our understanding that it is not required by law in order for your lender to complete the loan.

State law requires the Assessor's Office to reappraise property upon change in ownership or completion of new construction. The Assessor's Office must issue a supplemental assessment which reflects the difference between the prior assessed value and the new assessment. This difference in value is prorated based on the number of months remaining in the fiscal year, ending June 30. (Generally, Supplemental Assessments are not accounted for in escrow dealings, but the new property owner should be made aware of the supplemental process.)

Copies of all building permits are sent to the Assessor's Office by the cities and County. If the construction is new (such as a room addition), a reappraisal is required. If the construction is for replacement, repair, or maintenance, a reappraisal is not required.

The Assessor/Clerk-Recorder has no authority to and cannot: A) Give anyone legal advice; B) Determine the actual ground location of any property boundaries or corner marks of a parcel; or C) Prepare deeds or read/write land descriptions for property owners.

If the City's or County's Building, Community Development or Planning Department confirms, in writing, that each of the lots can be developed, financed, leased or sold separately, then there may be a separate tax bill for each lot.